Farewell longer than 10 minutes? At Heathrow, it could cost you up to £80.

[hardcorestitch]

Heathrow Airport is cracking down on those taking too long. Already £5 for drop offs/pickups, the new charge can go up to £80.

 

[gmi3804]

£5 for anyone dropping off or picking up?

We just ticketed two separate LHR flights (international) with points and still had to pay over $800 in taxes for each ticket.

 

[LuvOrlando]

In the US at any airport I have visited the police will give you a side eye, speak to you, shove you along and give tickets freely. You have time to unload, give a hug a kiss and get out of the way in a hurry. This has been a safety issue since 9/11, they do not allow any lingering.

 

[hardcorestitch]

£5 for anyone dropping off or picking up?

That’s if it’s less than 10 minutes. At Heathrow you have to pay up to drop off…

 

[gmi3804]

I’m so old I can remember being able to meet or see off passengers at the gate.

 

[bcla]

I’m so old I can remember being able to meet or see off passengers at the gate.

I've done that before. There are a lot of things I remember including bringing small blades as long as it was under 4 inches. And the big thing was that short-term parking was much cheaper than it is now, adjusted for inflation.

But more recently I got a gate pass to accompany my in laws who had some mobility issues.

As far as the original topic goes, I think it's a bit more than just overstaying the 10 minute limit. There's also a fine for dropping off without prepaying for the £6 (will increase to £7 next year) drop off fee.

https://www.heathrow.com/transport-and-directions/terminal-drop-off-charge

I don't know if maybe there's some remote drop off location like with some airports. Airports advocate using it because it reduces concentration at the terminal lanes, where typically one can take whatever airport transportation system to get to the terminals.

 

[mjkacmom]

I can’t imagine being allowed to take 10 minutes to drop someone off, more like 30 seconds (my local is Newark).

 

[tvguy]

I've done that before. There are a lot of things I remember including bringing small blades as long as it was under 4 inches. And the big thing was that short-term parking was much cheaper than it is now, adjusted for inflation.

Our airport had a 4 hour short term parking lot. It was free. I worked security there 1973-1975. No metal detectors. After 7 pm there was just ONE Deputy Sheriff on duty.

 

[bcla]

Our airport has a 4 hour short term parking lot. It was free. I worked security there 1973-1975. No metal detectors. After 7 pm there was just ONE Deputy Sheriff on duty.

SMF? I remember having to fly out of there once, and it wasn't too bad because economy parking was $8 a day. My worry was that at 4:30 AM the bus wasn't going to be running often enough, but I got to the terminal in plenty of time.

 

[tvguy]

SMF? I remember having to fly out of there once, and it wasn't too bad because economy parking was $8 a day. My worry was that at 4:30 AM the bus wasn't going to be running often enough, but I got to the terminal in plenty of time.

That free parking should be HAD, that was 1973-75. Yes, SMF.

 

[kdonnel]

Hartsfield-Jackson just raised all the onsite parking rates dramatically but still maintains the free park and wait lot where you can park and remain with your car until the party you are picking up is curbside. Doesn’t stop people from just stopping on the side of the airport roads and waiting there.

If you want to go inside for your drop off or pickup you have the option to park in the hourly lot at $10 for the first hour and $15 for each subsequent hour.

Heathrow seems to be pushing people to use public transport.

 

[tony67]

I’m so old I can remember being able to meet or see off passengers at the gate.

Yeah I miss those days.

For a long while after 911 we still used to have 30 minutes free parking at the international terminal to drop off and pickup as well- but about 5 years ago the closed that lot and force everyone into a central parking lot that has 0 free minutes.

Don't even think about stopping at the terminal unless you are actively picking up or dropping off they will yell at you.

At least the have a cell phone lot now - so that helps.

In the end I always use the airport express bus now - its far more convenient even though they don't run enough of them leaving the airport. The international terminal is the last to be picked up and there are often no seats left or only a couple - and they have no organized line so its a total free for all much of the time. I always tip the drivers and they usually remember me so they prioritize getting me on the bus which helps.